Be back in a few days....

The Marshall Thundering Blog will be going dark until Monday November 2nd due to a scheduling conflict. In the mean time I have added a new feature to the Blog, you can now email me by clicking on the “view my profile option” (Right side column under the blog archive) then click the email option under contact. Feel free to send any thoughts, comments, criticisms, or ideas.

The more emails the better!

Opponent Watch

From the News Tribune, Marshall (5-3) at U-C-F (4-3)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/colleges/story/932691.html

From FloridaToday.com, Knights will enjoy football spotlight

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091028/SPORTS/910280347/1002/SPORTS/Knights+will+enjoy+football+spotlight

From the Orlando Sentinel, Marshall Coach Mark Snyder impressed by Knights' defense, UCF Coach George O'Leary hopes fans pack stadium

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/2009/10/ucf-football-notes-marshall-coach-mark-snyder-impressed-by-knights-defense-ucf-coach-george-oleary-h.html

From the Bright House Sports Network, UCF readies for prime-time showdown

http://www.baynews9.com/content/40/2009/10/27/539025.html

From UCFAthletics.com, Jarvis Geathers Gathers Quarterbacks

http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102709aag.html

From UCFAthletics.com, George O'Leary Press Conference Quotes

http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102709aaf.html

Rivals.com is less nuts

Rivals.com is a little less nuts this week. They have Darius Marshall, THE NATIONS SECOND LEADING RUSHER at number 16 in it’s weekly power rankings for division one football possessions. Marshall moved 6 spots from last weeks ranking. Meanwhile Cody Slate continues to move up the charts. This week Rivals has pegged Slate in the 7 hole, up two positions from last weeks rankings.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/viewCFSE.asp

Today's Marshall Sports News 10/28

From the Charleston Gazette, Ex-soccer goalie faced with big role

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200910270932

From the Charleston Gazette, UCF playing better after tough start

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200910271030

From the Charleston Daily Mail, All eyes will be on Herd's Slate, Marshall

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MUSports/200910280094

From the Charleston Daily Mail, Five keys have Herd basketball set for wins

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MUSports/200910280099

From the Herald Dispatch, MU strength vs. UCF strength

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x165319574/MU-strength-vs-UCF-strength

From the Herald Dispatch, Anthony Hanshew: Herd's eyes fixed on a sizable prize

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x901130084/Herds-eyes-fixed-on-a-sizable-prize

From the Herald Dispatch, Chuck Landon: Late first-half scores by foes an unwelcome trend for Herd

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x901130076/Late-first-half-scores-by-foes-an-unwelcome-trend-for-Herd

From the Herald Dispatch, C-USA football players of the week

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x901130068/C-USA-FOOTBALL-PLAYERS-OF-THE-WEEK

From the Herald Dispatch, Kadish named MVP of Green/White

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x901130086/Kadish-named-MVP-of-Green-White-series

From the Herald Dispatch, Herd, UCF evenly matched

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x901130082/Herd-UCF-evenly-matched

Verbal Commitment Watch

DE/TE Jamie Onufrak, Out Door Academy Sarasota Florida:

Out Door Academy beat Bradenton Christian 17 – 7 Friday night. Onufrak caused a huge fumble on Bradenton’s 20 yard line which resulted in the games defining field goal. He also caught one pass for fourteen yards, on the season Onufrak has 12 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Onufrak is mentioned heavily in the game story, read it here: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091024/ARTICLE/310249996/2579/sports0515?Title=Thunder-wins-storms-into-first-place

TE/LS James Powers, Myrtle Beach High School:

Myrtle Beach destroyed Georgetown High 63 – 0 Friday night, the halftime score was 49 - 0. Powers does not appear in the game story but you can read it here: http://www.thesunnews.com/940/story/1131672.html

DE A.J Scott, Robert E Lee High School:

Robert E Lee High School defeated Fort Defiance 27 – 20 Friday night. No individual stats for Scott, read about the game here: http://www.newsleader.com/article/20091024/HSSPORTS01/91024001/Lee-holds-off-Fort-Defiance--27-20

WR Raheem Waiters, Riverside High School:

Waiters is out for the season with a hyper extended knee. Riverside lost to Parkersburg Friday night 42 – 0.

LB Trevor Black, Hargrave Military Academy:

Hargrave was due to play George Mason University’s club football team on October 19th but the game was called off by the Patriots due to team injuries. Hargrave’s next game is November 5th against Marshall’s JV squad.

Today's Marshall Sports News 10/27

From the Charleston Gazette, Area roundup

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200910260936\

From the Charleston Gazette, Herd ready to slug it out with UCF

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/200910260931

From the Charleston Daily Mail, Decision on Herd's Edmonson will wait

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MarshallFootball/200910260818

From the Charleston Daily Mail, Marshall players welcomed a day off

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/MarshallFootball/200910260823

From the Charleston Daily Mail, Marshall duo claims doubles championship

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/OtherMarshallSports/200910260828

From the Herald Dispatch, 'One game at a time'

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x463990259/One-game-at-a-time

From the Herald Dispatch, Tennis partners qualify for ITA Indoor Nat'l Championships

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x463990263/Tennis-partners-qualify-for-ITA-Indoor-Natl-Championships

From the Herald Dispatch, Hanshew: UCF matchup will be an old school slugfest

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x463990261/UCF-matchup-will-be-an-old-school-slugfest

From the Herald Dispatch, Landon: MU does not have to play on WVU terms

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x463990241/MU-does-not-have-to-play-on-WVU-terms

Marshall in the NFL Week 7

Doug Legursky, C, Pittsburgh Steelers

Was Pittsburgh’s first interior lineman off the bench in their 27 – 17 win over Minnesota.

Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots

Had 5 receptions for 69 yards during New England’s 35 – 7 win over Tampa Bay.

Chris Hanson, P, New England Patriots

Had 6 punts for a 37.3 yard average, also put one punt inside the twenty. New England beat Tampa Bay 35 - 7.

Chris Massey, LS, St. Louis Rams

Injured his right ACL during a punt return and will be out for the season. The Rams loss to Indianapolis 42 - 6.

Chris Crocker, S, Cincinnati Bengals

Had a huge day during the Bengals 45 – 10 win over Chicago. Registered 3 tackles and one assist along with a forced fumble. Was also credited with 2 pass deflections and a interception returned for 20 yards.

Byron Leftwich, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Did not play during Tampa Bay’s 35 – 7 loss to Tampa Bay.

C.J Spillman, S, San Diego Chargers

Was inactive for the Chargers 37 – 7 win over Kansas City.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants

Rushed 12 times for 32 yards and lost a key fumble while fighting for extra yards during New York’s 24 – 17 loss to Arizona. Also had one reception for minus 5 yards.

Chad Pennington, QB, Miami Dolphins

Out for the season. Miami lost to New Orleans 46 - 34.